According to foreign media reports, researchers at Rice University invented a new 'fiber mat' whose magic is that it can adsorb and destroy contaminants in water. This 'purifier' is embedded in polymer fibers. The TiO 2 nanoparticle composition. During the test, the team demonstrated that this material can indeed adsorb contaminants. However, instead of using water, TiO 2 nanoparticles were exposed to UV light to eliminate contaminants. Compared with other systems, This design is faster, safer, and energy-efficient.
In fact, titanium dioxide is a fairly high yield of purification material.
When exposed to ultraviolet light, it can become a photocatalyst, releasing reactive oxygen species (ROS) to decompose pollutants. Over the years, this ability has been applied to microfluidic filters, building smoking panels, and so that we can Fabric coating drying in the sun.
In this example, titanium dioxide nanoparticles were embedded in high-permeability polyethylene fiberboard to remove and kill interfering substances. In view of the hydrophobic nature of the fibers (waterproof), it means that they do not absorb moisture, but they will absorb contaminants.
After these contaminants have absorbed the contaminants, they are irradiated with UV light to trigger the photocatalytic reaction that destroys the contaminants. Titanium dioxide has long been used in water treatment, but it is usually necessary to add a large amount of raw materials to the waste water (formation Mud).
Before the embedded titanium dioxide nanoparticles begin to destroy the contaminants, the fiber mat can be adsorbed first.
After this step of photocatalysis is completed, the treated water needs to be filtered out of the mud again, resulting in difficulties and inefficiency. Pedro Alvarez, one of the authors of the study, stated that the current photocatalytic treatment has two major limitations in terms of efficiency:
First of all, the oxidant produced is much richer than the target contaminant, so it cannot destroy the contaminants. Second, it takes a lot of time and money to maintain and separate the pulp-like photocatalyst and prevent it from leaking into the treated water.
In some cases, the energy cost of the filtration mud is even higher than that required for UV light. In view of this, the research team solved it by fixing the catalyst, making it easy to reuse and retain - 'We do not allow it to be filtered out of the mat. And affect the water'.
Titanium dioxide nanoparticles enter the pores of the textile
In addition to being faster, researchers also claim that new technologies can save more energy, especially when dealing with dirtier water. From distilled water to wastewater from water treatment plants, fiber mats only need to double energy. Below, slurry needs 11 times)
If the contamination is too thick, UV light can hardly reach the location of the nanoparticles, and the new technology also supports two-step processing. Alvarez said that if the water is turbid, the penetration of light can be a challenge, which is necessary:
You can remove contaminants that have been adsorbed by the mat, then transfer it to another reactor that has cleaner water, destroy the contaminants, clean the mat, and take it back to use.
